Best Pocket Knives for Every Guy

Whatever Life Throws at You, Be Prepared With These Pocket Knives

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A great pocket knife is the kind of tool you don’t need until you do. Whether you have a pesky random thread hanging from your T-shirt, a painful splinter or a hiking emergency, a solid pocket knife will diffuse the situation effortlessly. But not all pocket knives are made equal. While some are ideal for recreational fishing, others are more suited for car emergency kits. To help you make an informed choice, we broke down all you need to know about pocket knives, from the different types of blades to pocket knife maintenance.

How to Choose the Right Pocket Knife

After the club, the knife was one of man’s first tools. Stone blades, knapped to a sharp edge, gave way eventually to forged ones. Some evidence indicates that the first blades originated over two and a half million years ago. As a tool, as a weapon and eventually as a ceremonial status symbol, a good knife is a necessity. The hunter, the soldier, the chef, all rely on the utility and quality of the knives at their ready.

The modern knife can be made of carbon steel, titanium, ceramic, or even plastic. For the purposes of this guide, we will stick with the extremely practical, metal-bladed pocket knife. But with so many variations, choosing one ain’t easy. Luckily, we’re here for you.

Key Attributes of a Modern Knife

The Blade

The Point: The end of the blade, for piercing

The Edge: The cutting surface of the blade

The Grind: The cross-section shape of the blade

The Spine: The thickest section of the blade, opposite the cutting edge

The Fuller: A groove cut into the blade to reduce weight

The Ricasso: The small, unsharpened section at the base of the blade

The Handle

The Pommel or Butt: The end of the handle, can be used for driving the point home

The Lanyard: A strap for attaching to one’s wrist

Types of Pocket Knives

Single-Blade: For sheer simplicity, you can’t beat a single-blade pocket knife, featuring one all-purpose blade, usually with a locking mechanism (which we’ll get into) for ensuring a strong, reliable blade.

Folding Knives: Just as the name suggests, the defining attribute of a pocket knife is the ability to fold the blade safely away in the handle.

Multiple Blades: Complexity increases exponentially as you add more blades to a folder. A simple, traditional, multi-blade pocket knife with two or three blades trades some of the durability of a single-blade for versatility.

Swiss Army Knives: A category all its own, the familiar red handle with the Swiss cross offers countless combinations of tools, from a surprisingly effective saw to must-have scissors. From the most basic three-tool model to the near ridiculous 87-tool model introduced in '06, there’s something for everyone.

Multi-tools: A real game-changer, the multi-tool is so epitomized by the Leatherman that the name has become synonymous for the category. If a Swiss Army Knife just won’t do because you just gotta have a pair of pliers and 18+ other tools at your fingertips, you may want — nay, need — a multi-tool.

Who Makes the Best Pocket Knives

Victorinox Swiss Army EvoGrip

Best Pocket Knife For: Traditionalists

Victorinox is the original Swiss Army Knife. The company was established by Karl Elsener in 1909. Wenger, a competing company that was also established in 1909 to meet demands, was purchased by Victorinox in 2005. While there are so many varieties of Swiss Army knives to choose from – including the Wenger Giant with 85 tools, 141 functions and a $1,300 price tag – simpler is definitely better. And while Swiss Army soldiers have made do without a corkscrew in its issued knife since 2008, there’s no reason you should suffer.

The Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool

Best Pocket Knife For: The Camper/Hiker

The Leatherman Wave has everything the camper needs to putter around the campsite, fixing things, dismantling things, and just generally tinkering while waiting for the next meal or nap. Ditto for the Hiker, except that spare time is usually spent walking to the next meal or nap.

Gerber LMF II Survival Knife

Best Pocket Knife For: Doomsday Preppers

The Portland, Oregon-based company was founded in 1939 by Joseph Gerber and has grown from making sheath knives for the hunter and workman to knives for every application: from single blades and tactical folders to multi-tools for every job. Its LMF II, originally designed for military application, is a solid choice for camping or survival. Over 10 inches long, with a 420HC stainless blade and Kraton textured handle, the knife will stand up to chopping, slashing and hammering with the pommel.

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur

Best Pocket Knife For: Minimalists

Kershaw is another American-made knife brand that has a cult following. Its Ken Onion-designed Blur makes for a nice mid-sized everyday carry. The single-blade folder is fairly slim, with a 3.4-inch blade, and the clip can be changed for tip-up or tip-down, left or right carry. The Sandvik 14C28N steel drop point blade is very functional and easy to sharpen, and the SpeedSafe assisted opening deploys quickly, making this a great utility knife for every day.

Spyderco Para Military 2

Best Pocket Knife For: Mix of Function and Style

With the Endura 4, Spyderco revolutionized tactical folders with the addition of the thumb hole for faster and easier deployment of the blade. The Para Military 2 continues the evolution with a flat ground blade in S30V for slicing cleanly and a grip that is ergonomically designed with aggressive jimping on the thumb rest and choil for a secure hold.

Buck 110 Folding Hunting Knife

Best Pocket Knife For: Hunters

Buck knives are iconic American hunting knives, from its clip point Pathfinder to the Model 110 Folding Hunter. It’s the latter knife that revolutionized folding knives, providing a reliable locking system that precludes blade closure under heavy work. There’s a reason the Model 110 is one of the longest continuous production knives and sold more than 15 million knives since 1964.

Kershaw Cryo II

Best Pocket Knife For: Self-Defense

Self-defense is about being prepared in the most mundane conditions. The best knife for self-defense is the one that’s comfortable to carry, discreet, legal and quickly brought to bear. Kershaw’s Cryo II fills every trait at an unbeatable price.

Types of Pocket Knife Opening Mechanisms

There are many mechanisms for opening the folding blade, as well as locking it into place. Here we explore some of the most common types.

Manual: The common nail-nick that allows one to pull a blade out using a fingernail is a traditional feature on many pocket knives. This requires using two hands, however, which led to some innovations, most common of which is the thumb-stud, which allows the user to flick the blade open easily with one hand. Several variations of this have been introduced since, including the proprietary thumb hole found on all Spyderco knives.

Switchblade: Particularly practical for one-handed use, the switchblade has become almost a cliché of the leather-jacket-clad movie villain. Usually actuated with a button, the spring-loaded blade may swing out or straight through the top of the handle. Because of their association with criminality, these were generally outlawed in 1948, but have gradually been de-criminalized on a state-by-state basis. It’s best to check your local laws before purchasing or carrying one of these.

Assisted Mechanism: A slight variation on the switchblade, is the assisted mechanism, the difference being that the actuator requires a certain amount of force, rather than just simply pressing. This seems like a sensible option, as it could be most unfortunate to have your blade pop open while still in your pocket.

Types of Pocket Knife Locking Mechanisms

Several mechanisms have been designed to keep the blade in the open position, depending on the type of knife and the intended use, with frequent minor updates and improvements over the years.

Slip joint: Common in the traditional pocket knife or most Swiss Army knives, a slip joint blade is held in place by a spring, which can be defeated by the application of enough pressure to the back of the blade, allowing it to fold back into the handle. This type of knife isn’t intended for heavy-duty work because the blade can easily snap back down onto the user’s fingers.

Lockback: A lockback blade has an internal hook and notch mechanism that, when opened fully, will make an audible click or snap. A spring release along the back – near the heel of the handle – is pressed to allow the blade to be folded away. A variation on this is the mid-lock, which has the release in the middle of the handle.

Frame and Liner Locks: As suggested by the name, these types of locks hold the blade open either with the metal inner frame of the handle – that bends inward to block the blade from folding back – or with a metal side-spring lock lining the frame. To release the blade, the liner or the frame must be pressed aside before it can be folded back into the handle.

Lever: A lever lock is usually found on switchblade-type knives. When the blade is out, a pin engages in a hole drilled through the blade at the hinge. The same lever used to engage the blade will release it and allow it to be folded back.

Types of Blades

Plain edge or serrated — which to choose? There are pros and cons to each, as well as a compromise choice.

Plain

Pro: A simple plain edge blade is a good go-to for making clean, accurate cuts and for slicing or carving. They’re also easy to sharpen.

Con: A plain edge blade does a poor job of sawing through tough material such as rope or tree branches, or the very soft, such as bread or tomatoes.

Fully Serrated

Pro: Good for sawing through the tougher stuff. If you find yourself needing to do this frequently, a serrated blade could be a good choice.

Con: Not great at clean cuts or carving. Very difficult to sharpen. You’ll have to either send it to the manufacturer or get special sharpening rods for the serrations.

Partially Serrated

A partially serrated blade is the sofa bed of knives: a bit of both, but not the best of either. If you need to do a fair amount of slicing as well as sawing through tough material, but you don’t want to have to switch back and forth between two knives, this is a reasonable compromise much of the time.

Common Blade Shapes

There are many different shapes of blades and each has its purpose. Here are some of the most common types you’ll find.

Clip Point: The defining feature is the concave or angled shape along the front half of the spine, making the tip thinner and more pointed. This makes for a great all-around knife, good for hunting, with a tip shape for piercing, while the rest of the blade is good for slicing.

Drop Point: This is also a good all-around blade shape, particularly for a tactical or survival knife. The drop point is characterized by a sloping curve along the spine toward the point, making for a strong point, although not as good for piercing as the clip point. The deep belly of the blade makes this a good shape for skinning.

Sheepsfoot: A sheepsfoot is a great blade for cutting and slicing, while decreasing chances of mishaps. Its defining feature is a curved, almost snub-nosed shape at the point, and a flat cutting edge. The minimized shape of the point reduces the chances of accidental punctures.

Spear Point: A spear point is a symmetrical blade that can be single- or double-edged, and is especially good for piercing. They aren’t as good for slicing or cutting as clip point, drop point or the sheepsfoot.

Needle Point: The needle point is symmetrical like the spear point, but extremely slender, and consequently fairly vulnerable to breaking. Useful only for piercing, this dagger-like shape, sometimes called a stiletto, is virtually useless for carving or slicing. Switchblades are the only folding knives likely to have this shape.

Pen Blade: The pen blade, like the ones found in Swiss Army knives, has the same curve on both the spine and the edge, as they taper to the point. It’s so named because they were originally used to shape the end of a quill for fashioning a writing instrument and are good for fine or delicate work.

Pocket Knife Handle Materials

There are a great many handle materials to choose from, with a combination of aesthetics and practicality to consider.

Wood: A good quality handle made of hardwood, burl or a soft wood stabilized with plastic, can make for an extraordinarily beautiful and durable pocket knife that feels good in your hand. Of course, wood is vulnerable to water damage and can get marked up over time, but this may not necessarily be a bad thing, if you like a good patina.

Plastic/Laminate: There are a number of proprietary thermoplastics and fiberglass laminates, such as Zytel, Micarta, G-10 and Kraton. They tend to be lightweight and durable, with baked- or pressed-in textures that make for a good grip; you’ll often find these materials on tactical blades. However, they can be expensive, brittle, and in some cases, just cheap, plastic-looking.

Metal: Stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium are commonly used for knife handles and give a sleek look and a sturdy feel. They’re prone to scratching and can be slippery if smooth; often the metal is textured or coated for a better grip.

Bone/Stag: A very old material for use in knife handles, bone is still one of the most commonly used, and is popular for being traditional, attractive and inexpensive. It’s usually textured and often dyed bright colors, but it’s somewhat slippery and prone to cracking. A similar material, stag, derived from shed deer antlers, is extremely elegant and consequently very expensive.

Rubber: Rubber is often wrapped around other material on a knife handle and is great for grip and feels good in the hand. The downside is that it’s not as durable as synthetic materials in the long term.

Mother of Pearl: Extremely beautiful, and extremely stylish, the creamy iridescence of mother of pearl is also extremely durable. Unfortunately, it’s also extremely expensive and, because it makes for a slippery handle, not particularly practical for everyday use.

Pocket Knife Maintenance

Once you have the knife of your dreams — or budget — you’ll want to take good care of it, and a folding pocket knife requires special attention.

Treating the Blade and Handle

You probably know that a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp blade. The best way to maintain a sharp edge is to sharpen it regularly, rather than waiting until it’s quite dull. Use a knife sharpener, a sharpening stone or steel. If you have trouble maintaining a sharp edge, consider getting it professionally sharpened.

You’ll also want to keep the knife blade and the folding and locking mechanisms clean. After each use, clean the blade with soap and water and rinse and dry it carefully. If there’s any grit in the folding or locking mechanisms, you’ll want to take special care by using a bristle brush or old toothbrush to get that out.

Even though pocket knife blades are often made with stainless steel, don’t be fooled by that promise. Over time they will corrode, so follow up with a quality household oil to protect and lubricate your blade, and the moving parts. A drop or two should suffice. Wood handles can occasionally be rubbed with furniture polish or linseed oil, wiping off excess with a cloth.

Best Pocket Knife Oils

KPL Knife Pivot Lube Knife Oil: If you own a folding knife and you want to properly maintain it, this oil is for you. It was designed to be used to oil the pivot and locking mechanisms in contemporary folding knives. It’s synthetic and was created to stop dirt and other grime from locking up your knife. $13.99 at Amazon.com

Citadel Black Knife Oil: This 100 percent natural, food-safe knife oil is made up of mineral oil and Camellia seed oil. It was created to help maintain your steel and carbon steel knives. When used often, it will protect your knives from rust and general wear and tear. $13.97 at Amazon.com

Best Pocket Knife Sharpeners

ZWILLING J.A. Henckels 4-Stage Pull Through Knife Sharpener: No frills, basic construction, perfect for sharpening all of your knives easily. It’s designed to make quick work of sharpening and comes with a very important non-slip bottom, a handle that protects your fingers from cuts and four different stages including coarse and fine for all styles of blades. $29.95 at Amazon.com

Best Pocket Knife Sharpening Stones

Whetstone Cutlery Sharpening Stone: You don’t have to buy pricey oils because this dual-sided sharpening stone was designed to be used with water instead of oil. All you need to do is soak the stone for 5-10 minutes before using it. It’s perfect for sharpening even the dullest of blades. $10.99 at Amazon.com

DMT 8-Inch DuoSharp Plus Bench Stone: Made in the U.S., these coarse diamond sharpening stones have two sides so you can sharpen a wide variety of knives. The monocrystalline diamond surface was created to sharpen your knives faster so you don’t have to wait all day to use them. You can sharpen dry or with water. $62.62 at Amazon.com

Storing Your Pocket Knife

Store your pocket knife in a dry, safe place, far away from where any small hands can get to it, and folded, naturally. If it came with a case, you can store it in that, although leather cases may hold moisture, which will accelerate corrosion of the blade.

Where You Can and Can't Take Your Knife: Some jurisdictions restrict or prohibit knives with locking blades or knives associated with offensive fighting, such as daggers, stilettos, switchblades or butterfly knives. Additionally, there are considerable restrictions for air travel with knives.

Special State Considerations: There are various restrictions to blade length and type on a state-by-state basis and even by municipality. It’s best to consult your local laws regarding this in order to assure you are in compliance.

Carry-On and the TSA: You are not allowed to bring a knife of any kind onto a flight in your carry-on luggage. Put it in your checked luggage, if you must bring it along, and make sure it’s sheathed or folded and securely wrapped to avoid injuring baggage handlers. As far as international travel, check with your destination country, as their laws may be very different from the United States.

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